Officials consider new pool vehicle for council, staff use
Print
Email
Save
Reprints
Twitter
Share
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
LAFAYETTE — The City-Parish Council on Thursday quickly reviewed proposed budgets for council members, the city-parish president and the chief administrative officer.
The council is amid series of extensive budget hearings, going line-by-line through the 2009 proposed budget for each city-parish department before voting on approval of the overall budget next month.
The budgets reviewed on Thursday dealt mainly with salaries and expenses related to council members themselves, as well as the finance department and the offices of City-Parish President Joey Durel and City-Parish Chief Administrative Officer Dee Stanley.
The proposed spending changed little from the previous year.
Among the few questions to arise was whether the council should purchase a new pool vehicle for the use of council members and council staff.
The current vehicle, a Ford Escort, is about 12 years old.
“I think it warrants an update,” said Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux, who asked that $18,500 be placed in the budget for a new midsized vehicle.
Council members and council staff are eligible for mileage reimbursement, but Boudreaux said a new vehicle would spare staff from having to put wear on their own vehicles and risk an insurance claim while out on government business.
Councilman Jared Bellard questioned the need for a vehicle at all. Other members, many of whom were not aware the car was available for their use, wanted more time to research the issue.
“I see the car there, but I’ve never really looked at it,” said Councilman Keith Patin.
The council’s budget includes annual salaries of about $23,000 per member, $5,000 per member for travel and meetings, $1,600 per member for postage and printing, and $1,000 each for “tourism” expenses, such as Mardi Gras throws.
The next budget hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, when the council will review proposed budgets for the utilities and communications departments.
The council is amid series of extensive budget hearings, going line-by-line through the 2009 proposed budget for each city-parish department before voting on approval of the overall budget next month.
The budgets reviewed on Thursday dealt mainly with salaries and expenses related to council members themselves, as well as the finance department and the offices of City-Parish President Joey Durel and City-Parish Chief Administrative Officer Dee Stanley.
The proposed spending changed little from the previous year.
Among the few questions to arise was whether the council should purchase a new pool vehicle for the use of council members and council staff.
The current vehicle, a Ford Escort, is about 12 years old.
“I think it warrants an update,” said Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux, who asked that $18,500 be placed in the budget for a new midsized vehicle.
Council members and council staff are eligible for mileage reimbursement, but Boudreaux said a new vehicle would spare staff from having to put wear on their own vehicles and risk an insurance claim while out on government business.
Councilman Jared Bellard questioned the need for a vehicle at all. Other members, many of whom were not aware the car was available for their use, wanted more time to research the issue.
“I see the car there, but I’ve never really looked at it,” said Councilman Keith Patin.
The council’s budget includes annual salaries of about $23,000 per member, $5,000 per member for travel and meetings, $1,600 per member for postage and printing, and $1,000 each for “tourism” expenses, such as Mardi Gras throws.
The next budget hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, when the council will review proposed budgets for the utilities and communications departments.
 | ||||
| Most Popular | Most Emailed | Hot Topics | ||
